My heart overflows with thankfulness. Not because our mission of serving orphans and other vulnerable children in Eswatini is anywhere close to manageable, but because I see exciting rays of hope. I see gogos who are caring for a dozen or more children in cramped spaces take on new life. SOHO is teaching them to plant gardens to supplement the…
Growing hope: Gogo Khunene
Grace Khunene is the caretaker of 16 grandchildren, ranging in age from 6 months to 12 years old. These children were abandoned by their parents either because they could not afford to support them, had to seek employment or died from AIDS. Prior to SOHO’s assistance, the family not only lacked food and clothing but also funds for the older…
Promise: a true survivor
There are some stories where the odds of survival are truly one in a million. Such is the story of Promise Mavuso. In 2003 Promise’s father died, which scattered the family of nine children to whatever relatives would take them. Like so many children who are orphaned through HIV/AIDS, life was no longer safe. Within a short period Promise lived in…
Interview on 3ABN Today
J.D. and Shelley Quinn of the Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) talk with Cynthia Prime and Kimberly Pichot, dean of Andrews University’s College of Professions, about SOHO’s transformational work in helping orphans and vulnerable children in Eswatini. Watch video
Three faces of courage
Eight-year-old Mbali Nomusa Mathabela was left to fend for herself after her father abandoned her at Marekamp, where she hid in the bushes from potential abusers day and night. Eventually Mbali received assistance from an elderly Gogo who gave her a place to stay in her shanty, and SOHO stepped in to provide a food package each month. Yet because…
Helping Rwandan refugees
Fleeing genocide in Rwanda and hoping to find a new beginning, the Frederick family arrived in Eswatini a couple of years ago. The parents and their eight children first stayed at a small refugee camp at Mpaka. Among their many challenges, they did not understand the language of their host country and had few possessions beyond the clothes on their…
Melissa Mosley visits Eswatini on music mission
Sidvokodvo, Eswatini – Melissa Mosley, aged 16, has extended her heartfelt appreciation to the people of Sidvokodvo for their warm embrace and for introducing her to the rich culture of Eswatini. This sentiment was shared during her recent visit to Seeds of Hope Outreach, where she, accompanied by her father Glen Mosley, engaged with the center’s activities. Glen Mosley, a…
Linnah Mouse
At just 15, Linnah Mouse has already faced numerous challenges. Raised in poverty, her mother worked tirelessly in the manufacturing district of Matsapha to meet their needs, while her grandmother cared for her. Despite her mother’s modest income, maintaining consistent school attendance was a struggle, with uniforms and additional fees frequently posing barriers to Linnah’s education. In Eswatini, where only…